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College students need self storage during summer vacation and beyond.

School is out for the summer!

It's a great time to just kick back and enjoy everything that you were missing out on when you were in school and had to work so hard. Fortunately, you don't need to spend time buried in books over the summer months. Instead, you can play in the warm weather, spend time with friends and family, and just do the kinds of things you enjoy. But what about all your stuff? Do you really want to try to get it all home with you? Shipping is expensive, and you don't want to get rid of anything. You'll need it when summer is over and the next semester starts.

1There's a solution to your problem: self storage

A storage unit can let you pack up all those things you're going to need in the fall, and leave them right there, close to campus where you can easily get them out and put them into a new dorm room. That will help you get moved out of your current place quickly, so you can get started on your summer fun. You don't want to spend too many warm weather hours packing and shipping, when you could box things up fast and drive them right over to the closest storage facility, lock them up, and head home.

The fastest way to get home and kick start your summer vacation is by using our self-storage search engine. With it, you can locate a cheap deal on a secure student storage unit near your school. To get started use USSelfStorage.com links to find a storage facility near your university or college.

2Renting a self-storage unit will make your parents life easier

Congratulations! Another semester has gone by, and you are that much closer to meeting your goals of graduating and receiving your diploma. Now, however, you are confronted with hauling all those personnel belongings via rental truck or trailer back home and then back to school for next semester.

Or even worse, you may be tempted to throw many of your items away, rather than haul them back and forth. This costs even more money when you are forced to purchase them again next year in order to refill your dormitory room or apartment.

Self-Storage almost seems like it was designed for college students—and for this very purpose. Imagine how happy you will make your parents when you tell them that they don’t have to haul your stuff home, just to take it all back in a few months or rent a truck for a long haul at a costly fee. Let alone the wear and tear on the bodies of all people involved in the temporary moves.

Yet it is important to consider that the amount of money you would save by choosing the driveup storage unit may be offset if your items are ruined by moisture or bad weather. Belongings can be damaged by humidity in the hotter climates, freezing in the colder climates, possibly flooding, or hurricanes.

Most storage companies, however, give discounts to students and to those who choose a unit on a higher floor. First floor units, although more convenient, are more expensive than an upper floor unit. Storage facilities usually have very large cargo elevators and free use of dollies and push carts, so selecting an upper floor unit is not necessarily a bad idea, and you could save some money.

4Skip the extra amenities and look for student discounts

Some amenities are important, like having a climate controlled unit for anything that might be damaged by temperature or humidity changes. Others don't matter as much, like having 24 hour access. You really don't need to be able to access your stuff on a 24/7 basis since you're probably putting your things in storage and then traveling home.

Most students don't have a lot of money to spend on all those extra amenities. If you're one of them, you can still find a great storage unit at a price you can afford. You just need to be sure of the size unit you'll want, and any requirements that are actually needed and not just things you would like to have.

For example, if you have a sensitive musical instrument that you're leaving in storage over the summer, climate controlled storage may be very important to you. That would make sense, and wouldn't just be something you were paying extra for that you didn't really need.

Another way to save big on your storage unit is through student discounts. Many self storage companies offer cheaper rates to students, with a valid student ID from a local college or university. Bring your ID when you fill out the paperwork for the unit, and check to make sure the facility actually charged you the price you were quoted. Since students don't usually have a lot of stuff to store, you should be able to get a small, inexpensive unit that will work for your needs. The smaller the unit, the less you'll have to pay for it, and the more money you can use for other things.

5 It's More Than Campus Closeness

Getting a self-storage unit that's close to campus may be your top priority, but there are other things to consider, as well. While it's great to have a close storage unit to take things to, the neighborhood and security also matters. If you live far away, your things will be unattended in that storage unit all summer. You won't be able to check on them when and if you want to - and you might not know anyone in the area who can check on them for you. With that in mind, consider where the facility is really located based on more than just how far away it is from your school.

If you're not familiar with the area, take a drive around or do a little bit of online research. Go by the facility and see what kind of security it has. The vast majority of storage facilities have high fences and are gated, so people who come in and out need a reason to be there.

Some of them have access on a 24-hour basis, where anyone who has rented a unit there can get in at any time. Others close up at a certain time of night, and re-open in the morning, so no one gets in during the night. Cameras may also be present.

There's no need to be paranoid, but you do want to protect your things and make sure they're still there when you get back from summer break and get ready to start a new semester. If the closest storage facility to your college or university just doesn't feel that safe or secure, it may be well worth the time and effort to find one that's a little bit farther away. Security is important, and a few extra minutes driving isn't going to be much of a problem. It's a small price to pay for protecting your things.

In large cities like Miami, Los Angeles, Houston or Chicago with large number of universities, the number of storage facilities is also large. So, do your homework and find the best storage facility for your specific needs.

6Tips for Choosing the Right Student Storage Units

When you are looking for the right storage unit to store your beloved college items, it is important to do your homework and consider all of your storage needs before deciding on a space. While space is important, so is cost. Students on a budget can most definitely find a storage unit that will fit their items and that won't break their bank account.

Convenience or Cost?: Before choosing a storage facility and a unit, use our search engine to find storage facilities near your college or university. While the ones near your university may be more convenient, ones that are located a few miles away may be a more economical. Compare costs and convenience and determine which one is most important to you. Many storage facilities will give a student discount to all students who rent. They recognize the demand and want your business. Consider that you could get a 10% or 15% discount when you show your student ID, in addition to the regular price and specials offered by the facility.

Safety is Key: When you are choosing a student storage unit, be sure you know the location your unit is in. It is important to choose a safe neighborhood and a facility with a safe reputation. You may have to get your items out of storage by yourself one night or need to check on your possessions periodically. Choose a neighborhood you feel safe in and a unit with enhanced safety features, such as a locked gate, outdoor lights, and security alarms and cameras.

Plan Ahead and Beat the Rush: Be sure to book your unit in advance and book your moving truck before the main rush. It is best to consider booking your storage unit and truck in March, while the rest of the students are still planning their spring break. Why? Shortly before the semester ends there will be a frenzy of students in search of student storage units. Storage units near colleges and universities fill up very fast during this time of year. Also, keep in mind that you may need to rent a moving truck to transport your belongings from school to the storage facility.

Determine How Much Space You Really Need: Add up the items you are realistically going to store. Don't store items that should be thrown away. Now is the time to purge and get rid of old term papers, worn textbooks, and that ugly Christmas sweater that Aunt Marge made for you. Once you have decided how much you are storing, then you can decide how big of a unit you will need.

The most popular self-storage unit sizes for students are usually small to medium units. Typically ranging from 5'x5' to 5'x10' and sometimes as large as 10'x10'.

A 5'x5' unit will hold a small amount of furniture, books, and miscellaneous items—usually a dormitory's worth.

The next size up would be a 5'x10' size unit, in this unit you would be able to store a mattress, bed frame, dressers, other small items and of course your books and school supplies.

If you have that apartment off campus our have an overly cluttered dormitory room then you made find yourself needing a larger storage unit, like a 10'x10', this unit could hold quite a bit of furniture, file cabinets, books, winter weather wardrobes, bikes, and all miscellaneous items.

Pack Your Items Wisely: Once you have chosen the right storage unit and size, be sure to pack your items in clean and organized boxes. This will help when you need to find something quickly. Put alike items together and always pack heavier items in smaller boxes. Cushion fragile items in bubble wrap or packing material.

Avoid Packing Dirty Items: It is always best to pack clean items that are dry. NEVER pack damp items or items that are perishable. All clothing, linen, and draperies should be cleaned well and packed inside of clean boxes. Packing dirty, dusty, or smelly items will result in damage to the other items nearby and they could also attract pests.

Enlist Help: Moving day will be a long day for many college students. Ask friends and family members to come and help you move your items into your storage unit before you head home for the summer. You can even offer to help them move in return for their help. This can make moving a lot more fun!